how china take rang in the lunar new year. . >>> first lady michelle obama joined family and friends in chicago today at a funeral for slain 15-year-old hadia pendleton. she was shot back on january 29th, not far from the obama's chicago home. and just days after performing with her school band at the presidential inauguration. now, police have not released an official motive yet, but they believe gang members may have mistaken pendleton and her friends for a rival gang. in addition to mrs. obama, several other dignitaries attended, including illinois governor pat quinn, chicago mayor rahm emanuel, reverend jesse jackson and education secretary arne duncan. >>> president obama used his weekly address today to press congress to prevent a series of automatic spending cuts from taking place on march 1st. the president says the cuts would strike a blow to the economy at a critical time. >> at a time when economists and business leaders from across the spectrum have said our economy is poised for progress, we shouldn't allow self-inflicted wounds to put that progress in jeopardy. >> congr